Collector's Crypt - An American Werewolf in London 4K REVIEW
The advancement of technology is as enlightening as it is frustrating. As film fans, particularly horror fans, each new physical media format brings with it new versions of older films that often look better than they did upon their original release. We really have come a long way from VHS to what we have now in 4K Ultra High-Definition, and as the old saying goes, “never look a gift horse in the mouth”. Outdated colloquialisms aside, physical media collectors are constantly faced with the same dilemma: should I buy the newest format of a film I already own in another format? Obscure releases that only exist on a handful of formats aside, it seems that labels both large and small are constantly trying to find ways to get collectors to buy the same thing again. In fact, I can’t think of too many other collecting hobbies that deal with this issue. While boutique labels like SEVERIN and VINEGAR SYNDROME seem to only release things on 4K that they do not have available on blu ray, there are others (SCREAM! FACTORY, ARROW, and BLUE UNDERGROUND) who have shifted part of their business model to re-releasing films in newer and updated formats. In most cases, these re-releases are comprised of the same special features that were available in the prior version (with some exceptions) just with the added benefit of a new visual and occasionally auditory enhancement. It’s too soon to tell if this business model will persist or if collectors will reach a state of re-purchasing fatigue, but what is for sure is that it doesn’t show any signs of stopping. To that point, ARROW VIDEO has released the 4K Ultra High-Definition (UHD) version of JOHN LANDIS’ lycanthrope classic, AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON. This release comes after roughly two and half years after they released their 4K scan (which was graded and restored in 2K…confused yet?) and offers almost a carbon copy of that 2019 release. The thing collectors are asking themselves is, “can The Slaughtered Lamp look any better than it already does?”
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
Two American college students on a walking tour of Britain are attacked by a werewolf that none of the locals will admit exists.
Author’s Note: If you haven’t seen this movie I’m not sure why you’re reading this review, but I do appreciate it!
HOW IS IT?
Reviewing a movie as well-regarded as this is always a tad intimidating. One can’t help but be influenced by the film’s importance and even more so have some sort of bias because of it. From RICK BAKER’S Academy Award-winning transformation effects to ELMER BERNSTEIN’S score and JOHN LANDIS’ darkly funny script. If you can’t already tell with my word choice, I really like this one. For me, AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON is what my Macabre Daily colleague Lowell would refer to as a “grower”. The kind of horror film that gets better over time and the more you watch it. Candidly, I wasn’t always as keen on this one as I am now. My major complaints were that it took an hour for things to really get going, save for an absolutely brutal scene in the first 15 minutes. I was confused as to what purpose the nightmare interludes had and why they were so seemingly random. Of course, I loved the transformation scene, but by that time I was so ready for something to happen that anything werewolf-related was going to be met with excitement. Up until my last few re-watches, I didn’t really remember anything past the first time that David turns into the werewolf. Needless to say, I was so fucking wrong.
Author’s Note: Isn't it funny how sometimes you watch movies you didn't like over and over again as time passes? I always wonder what compels us to revisit movies we initially didn’t like and why we choose the ones we do. Perhaps it’s based on social pressures, particularly with the ubiquity of the internet and social media niches catering to specific genre audiences.
What helped to change my mind a few years ago was actually pretty simple; I forgot so much of the movie that my only memory of it was that I had seen it. Given that many years had passed, probably close to 10, the passing time had created an opportunity created entirely from forgetting what I had actually seen. After that rewatch all those years ago I realized that I had missed so much of the humor and absurdity that this time was so obvious. The Nazi demons didn’t make sense still, and yet, I finally understood why that works. As I’ve gotten older and am closer to 40 than 30, I appreciate the economy of the film and in particular, its runtime. While most movies today trend towards the 2-hour mark, AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON packs a fully formed story and plenty of horror genre “what the fuckery” in just 97 minutes. It’s an impressive feat that many films, regardless of genre, could learn from and it makes the film that much more appealing the more I appreciate the finite amount of time there is in our lives. If you haven’t seen AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON by now, it is not too late. Whether you love it, like it, or don’t care for it there is an undeniable appreciation for the craft of horror filmmaking on display here.
HOW DOES IT LOOK?
Now we are getting to the real reason you’re probably reading this. The movie itself is the same one you know and love, and this new ARROW 4K UHD disc could easily be mistaken for your previous ARROW VIDEO blu ray edition. This edition is a brand new 4K restoration that was created from the original 35mm negative and graded in HDR10 and Dolby Vision. Much like the 2019 blu ray edition, the grading reference was a previous HD master that was approved by JOHN LANDIS. The new 4K UHD disc has the same aspect ratio of 1:85:1 as the prior 2019 blu ray release.
It is without question that this new 4K UHD disc looks better than the previous blu ray edition. The question is, how much does that matter to you? In the screenshot below you can see comparisons of the two and gauge for yourself. I note that the dark colors are better captured this time around and this adds visual nuance to certain scenes, especially ones involving the transformation and gore.
HOW DOES IT SOUND?
Nothing new when it comes to audio options as these are carryovers from the 2019 release. It would have been nice to see an Atmos track, but the 5.1 DTS-HD track is still pretty good and more interactive than many other 5.1 tracks from other early 80s films with the 5.1 treatment. As always, kudos to ARROW VIDEO for including subtitles in English, and here’s to hoping they offer more options in the future.
Audio Options
Original uncompressed 1.0 mono and optional 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
ANYTHING SPECIAL?
Have I mentioned that this 2022 4K UHD LE release looks exactly like the 2019 blu ray release? The only way to tell them apart is by the color of the case the disc comes in as this 4K UHD release comes in the signature black plastic case. Alongside being clones in art and packaging, the special features are similarly replicated to the tee. To be fair, there are only so many of these things that people will actually want to watch, let alone that exist and/or are worth financing. The 2019 disc was absolutely stacked to the snout with interviews and two feature-length documentaries. Most notably, 2008’s BEWARE THE MOON documentary and 2019’ MARK OF THE BEAST: THE LEGACY OF THE UNIVERSAL WEREWOLF. The former is a must-watch for any fans who haven’t already seen it as it covers so much ground around the history of production and the long time it took to finally get financing. The 2019 MARK OF THE BEAST documentary is a 108-minute journey down the cinematic history of lycanthropes on film. These kinds of documentaries are my junk food, and I really enjoy seeing some of the familiar and also lesser-known talking heads sharing their perspectives and relationships to one of horror’s greatest cinematic monsters. It was so well done I wish there was a longer and even more thorough version (wink wink, nudge nudge, someone).
Full List of Special Features
New audio commentary by Beware the Moon filmmaker Paul Davis
Audio commentary by actors David Naughton and Griffin Dunne
Mark of The Beast: The Legacy of the Universal Werewolf, newly produced, feature-length documentary by filmmaker Daniel Griffith, featuring interviews with John Landis, David Naughton, Joe Dante, and more
An American Filmmaker in London, newly filmed interview with John Landis in which he reflects on British cinema and his time working in Britain
I Think He’s a Jew: The Werewolf’s Secret, a new video essay by filmmaker Jon Spira (Elstree 1976) about how Landis’ film explores Jewish identity
The Werewolf’s Call, Corin Hardy, director of The Hallow and The Nun, chats with writer Simon Ward about their formative experiences with Landis’ film
Wares of the Wolf, a new featurette in which SFX artist Dan Martin and Tim Lawes of Prop Store look at some of the original costumes and special effects artifacts from the film
Beware the Moon, Paul Davis’ acclaimed, feature-length exploration of Landis’ film which boasts extensive cast and crew interviews
Making An American Werewolf in London, a short archival featurette on the film’s production
An Interview with John Landis, a lengthy archival interview with the director about the film
Make-up Artist Rick Baker on An American Werewolf in London, the legendary make-up artist discusses his work on the film
I Walked with a Werewolf, an archival interview with Rick Baker about Universal horror and its legacy of Wolfman films
The casting of the Hand, archival footage from Rick Baker’s workshop showing the casting of David Naughton’s hand
Outtakes
Storyboards featurette
Original trailers, teasers, and TV spots
Extensive image gallery featuring over 200 stills, posters, and other ephemera
Reversible sleeve featuring original poster art and artwork by Graham Humphreys
LAST RITES
For die-hard fans of this film and/or those who revel in having the best version of any film it’s hard not to recommend the new 4K UHD disc. Even if it is just a visual upgrade, it’s a delicious cherry on top of an already amazing sundae. Never fear those who are not purists and are happy with the 2019 release, you certainly won’t feel a void in your life if you don’t get this upgrade.
THE GORY DETAILS
Thank you to our good friends at MVD ENTERTAINMENT and ARROW VIDEO for providing us with a copy of the film for this review! If you would like to purchase this 4K UHD Limited Edition please use the links below:
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